Thursday, March 5, 2015

Book review: After a Fashion by Jen Turano

Harriet
Peabody works as a hat maker in 1880s New York City. She works in the back of the shop, never
customer-facing. Then on her birthday,
her employer assigns her to deliver a sizable number of hats to a rich, young
society woman at the home of one of the most influential, affluent businessmen
of the day. What starts out as a simple
delivery turns into a rumpus that results in her dismissal from her job. And in the midst of that altercation Harriet
meets Oliver Addleshaw, who insists on hiring Harriet to be his companion
during a series of upcoming business engagements with the Duke of Westmoore. Each page of the book then reveals a new
adventure, misunderstanding, challenge, or surprise as Harriet prepares for her
new role.

This
was a fun book to read! Although Harriet
was of questionable parentage and upbringing, the sum of her experiences made
her a well-spoken, knowledgeable, and capable woman. The repartee between Harriet, Oliver, and
other characters was just delightful, and so entertaining! The plot twists kept the book moving forward
at just the right pace, and the surprise ending was just wonderful! I highly recommend this lighthearted book, and
hope that you will laugh as much as I did!

This
is the first book in Turano’s A Class of Their Own series, and I am certainly
looking forward to reading more from this author.

I
received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my
honest review, which I have given.

To read more about Jen Turano or her books, go to http://jenturano.com.